Major David W. R. Knox

Those who knew Major David W. R. Knox observed in awe his quiet and tireless service to Australia and to the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria.

David served his country with distinction during the Second World War, and later, in 1953, was introduced as a council member on the RASV.

In his first year on council, David founded the Australian Gold Cup Tent Pegging series, and donated the Gold Cup.

As Chairman of the Australian Meat Board at the time, he established a close association with the Society co-operating with it to install a refrigerated meat case in Centenary Hall as an educational display.

David was known as a strong ambassador for the show and was a modest worker whose efforts often went unaccounted for. His tireless dedication, however, was never forgotten.

He was celebrated as an honorary life councillor in 1973, and, after his passing in 1995, his daughter Mrs. Diana Gibson donated a life-size bronze sculpture in memory of her late father. The sculpture was of a stockman and his horse, entitled “An Australian Stockman,” which remains today fronting Plummer Avenue as a testament to his worthy contributions to the Society.

Image: “An Australian Stockman” was donated to the Society by Mrs. Diana Gibson in memory of her late father, David Knox. The statue remains today in a prominent position on the Showgrounds fronting Plummer Avenue.